U.S. patent application number 17/459225 was filed with the patent office on 2021-12-16 for fluid delivery device for a hydraulic fracturing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SPM Oil & Gas Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is SPM Oil & Gas Inc.. Invention is credited to Jeffrey Haiderer, Connor Landrum, Justin Lane Poehls, Scott Skurdalsvold, Gideon Nathaniel Junqueira Spencer, Paul Steele, Trever Dean Stewart.
Application Number | 20210388695 17/459225 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005800373 |
Filed Date | 2021-12-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210388695 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Spencer; Gideon Nathaniel Junqueira
; et al. |
December 16, 2021 |
FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE FOR A HYDRAULIC FRACTURING SYSTEM
Abstract
A fluid delivery device for a hydraulic fracturing system
includes a fluid conduit having a fracking fluid outlet configured
to be fluidly connected to a well head for delivering a fracking
fluid to the well head. The fluid conduit includes a base fluid
inlet configured to be fluidly connected to the outlet of a frac
pump such that the fluid conduit is configured to receive a flow of
base fluid from the frac pump. An injection system is fluidly
connected to the fluid conduit downstream from the base fluid inlet
and upstream from the fracking fluid outlet. The injection system
is configured to be fluidly connected to a material source. The
injection system is configured to inject at least one material of
the fracking fluid from the material source into the fluid conduit
downstream from the frac pump to generate the fracking fluid within
the fluid conduit.
Inventors: |
Spencer; Gideon Nathaniel
Junqueira; (Fort Worth, TX) ; Poehls; Justin
Lane; (Fort Worth, TX) ; Haiderer; Jeffrey;
(Fort Worth, TX) ; Landrum; Connor; (Burleson,
TX) ; Skurdalsvold; Scott; (Mansfield, TX) ;
Steele; Paul; (Midlothian, TX) ; Stewart; Trever
Dean; (Fort Worth, TX) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SPM Oil & Gas Inc. |
Fort Worth |
TX |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
SPM Oil & Gas Inc.
Fort Worth
TX
|
Family ID: |
1000005800373 |
Appl. No.: |
17/459225 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16119625 |
Aug 31, 2018 |
11105185 |
|
|
17459225 |
|
|
|
|
62553231 |
Sep 1, 2017 |
|
|
|
62553279 |
Sep 1, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E21B 41/00 20130101;
E21B 43/26 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E21B 41/00 20060101
E21B041/00; E21B 43/26 20060101 E21B043/26 |
Claims
1. An injection system for a hydraulic fracturing system, the
injection system operable between an injection phase and a delivery
phase, the injection system comprising: a base fluid inlet fluidly
connected to the outlet of a frac pump configured to receive a flow
of base fluid from a frac pump; a fracking fluid outlet fluidly
connected to a wellhead and configured to deliver a fracking fluid
to the wellhead during the delivery phase; a mixing segment
disposed between and in fluid communication with the base fluid
inlet and the fracking fluid outlet; and a material inlet
downstream from the frac pump, the material inlet fluidly
connecting a material source to the mixing segment to provide the
material to the mixing segment during the injection phase; wherein
when the injection system is in the injection phase, the material
from the material source is injected into the mixing segment to mix
with the base material to generate the fracking fluid and wherein
when the injection system is in the delivery phase, the fracking
fluid is directed from the mixing segment through the fracking
fluid outlet to the wellhead.
2. The injection system of claim 1, further comprising a base fluid
outlet fluidly connecting the mixing segment to an inlet of the
frac pump to direct the flow of base fluid into the inlet of the
frac pump during the injection phase.
3. The injection system of claim 1, further comprising a particle
sensor configured to detect that the mixing segment contains base
fluid.
4. The injection system of claim 1, further comprising a particle
sensor configured to detect that the mixing segment contains the
fracking fluid.
5. The injection system of claim 1, wherein the mixing segment
alternates between a lower-pressure state during the injection
phase and a higher-pressure state wherein the fracking fluid is
delivered to the wellhead.
6. The injection system of claim 1, wherein the injection system is
mounted to a skid.
7. The injection system of claim 1, wherein the injection system is
mounted to a trailer.
8. The injection system of claim 1 further comprising a material
inlet valve positioned between the material source and the mixing
segment, and a base fluid outlet valve disposed between the mixing
segment and the frac pump inlet and wherein when the injection
system is in the injection phase, the material inlet valve and the
base fluid outlet valve are in an open position to enable fluid
flow therethrough.
9. The injection system of claim 1, further comprising a material
inlet valve positioned between the material source and the mixing
segment, and a base fluid outlet valve disposed between the mixing
segment and the frac pump inlet and wherein when the injection
system is in the delivery phase, the material inlet valve and the
base fluid outlet valve are in a closed position to prevent fluid
flow therethrough
10. The injection system of claim 1 further comprising a base fluid
inlet valve and a fracking fluid outlet valve, and wherein when the
injection system is in the delivery phase, the base fluid inlet
valve and the fracking fluid outlet valve are in an open position
to enable flow through the valves.
11. A method for operating a hydraulic fracturing system, the
method comprising: providing at least two injection systems for
injecting at least one material of a fracking fluid into a fluid
conduit downstream from a frac pump, each injection system in fluid
communication with a material source and a corresponding fluid
conduit; operating the at least two injection systems in an offset
timing pattern to deliver a substantially continuous supply of
fracking fluid to a wellhead.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein operating the at least two
injection systems in an offset timing pattern to deliver a
substantially continuous supply of fracking fluid to a wellhead
comprises operating a first injection system in a high-pressure
state to deliver the fracking fluid from the first injection system
to the wellhead while simultaneously operating a second injection
system in a low-pressure state to draw the at least one material
into the corresponding fluid conduit.
13. The method of claim 11, further comprising operating a third
injection system in an offset timing pattern different from the
offset timing pattern of the at least two injection systems.
14. A hydraulic fracturing system comprising: a material source
containing at least one material for a fracking fluid; a frac pump
having a pump outlet and a pump inlet; at least three fluid
conduits, each conduit having a fracking fluid outlet configured to
be fluidly connected to a wellhead for delivering the fracking
fluid to the wellhead, each fluid conduit comprising a base fluid
inlet fluidly connected to the pump outlet of the frac pump such
that the fluid conduit is configured to receive a flow of base
fluid from the frac pump through the base fluid inlet; and an
injection system fluidly connected to the material source for
receiving a flow of at least one material of the fracking fluid
from the material source, the injection system being fluidly
connected to a corresponding fluid conduit downstream from the base
fluid inlet and upstream from a corresponding fracking fluid
outlet, the injection system is configured to inject the at least
one material of the fracking fluid into the corresponding fluid
conduit downstream from the frac pump, each injection system
comprising a base fluid outlet fluidly connected to the fluid
conduit and configured to direct the flow of base fluid from the
fluid conduit into an inlet of the frac pump.
15. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 14, wherein each fluid
conduit alternates between a lower-pressure state wherein the
injection system draws the at least one material of the fracking
fluid into the fluid conduit and a higher-pressure state wherein
the fluid conduit delivers the fracking fluid to the wellhead.
16. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 14, wherein the
injection system comprises a material inlet valve and a base fluid
outlet valve, and each fluid conduit comprises a base fluid inlet
valve and a fracking fluid outlet valve, wherein each injection
system is configured to draw the at least one material of the
fracking fluid into the corresponding fluid conduit when the
material inlet valve and the base fluid outlet valve are open and
the base fluid inlet valve and the fracking fluid outlet valve are
closed, and wherein each fluid conduit is configured to deliver the
fracking fluid to the wellhead when the material inlet valve and
the base fluid outlet valve are closed and the base fluid inlet
valve and the fracking fluid outlet valve are open.
17. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 14, wherein injection
system comprises a syringe.
18. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 14, wherein the
injection system comprises a syringe having a material chamber
fluidly connected to a corresponding fluid conduit downstream from
the frac pump, the material chamber being fluidly connected to the
material source, the syringe comprising a piston that is configured
to retract to draw the at least one material of the fracking fluid
into the material chamber from the material source, the piston
being configured to extend to push the at least one material of the
fracking fluid from the material chamber into the corresponding
fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump.
19. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 14, wherein the
injection system is configured to be operated in an offset timing
pattern to deliver a substantially continuous supply of fracking
fluid to the wellhead.
20. The hydraulic fracturing system of claim 14, further comprising
a particle sensor configured to detect the base fluid.
Description
CROSS-REFERNCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This Application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/119,625 filed on Aug. 31, 2018 and entitled
"FLUID DELIVERY DEVICE FOR A HYDRAULIC FRACTURIN SYSTEM", which
claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/553,279 filed on Sep. 1, 2017 and entitled
"INJECTION DEVICE FOR ADDING MATERIAL TO A HYDRAULIC FRACTURING
SYSTEM AFTER THE FLUID END," and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/553,231 filed on Sep. 1, 2017 and entitled
"DEVICE USED FOR ADDING MATERIAL TO A HYDRAULIC FRACTURING SYSTEM
AFTER THE PUMP FLUID END," which are each incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates to hydraulic fracturing systems, and
in particular, to fluid delivery devices for hydraulic fracturing
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] In oilfield operations, reciprocating pumps are used for
different fracturing operations such as fracturing subterranean
formations to drill for oil or natural gas, cementing a wellbore,
or treating the wellbore and/or formation. A reciprocating pump
designed for fracturing operations is sometimes referred to as a
"frac pump." A reciprocating pump typically includes a power end
and a fluid end (sometimes referred to as a cylindrical section).
The fluid end is typically formed of a one piece construction or a
series of blocks secured together by rods. The fluid end includes a
fluid cylinder having a plunger passage for receiving a plunger or
plunger throw, an inlet passage that holds an inlet valve assembly,
and an outlet passage that holds an outlet valve assembly.
[0004] Conventional systems used for hydraulic fracturing consist
of a blender that mixes a base fluid (e.g., water, liquefied
petroleum gas (LPG), propane, etc.) with one or more other
materials (e.g., a slurry, sand, acid, proppant, a sand and base
fluid mixture, a gel, a foam, a compressed gas, etc.) to form a
fracturing fluid, which is sometimes referred to as a "fracking
fluid." The fracking fluid is transported to the fluid end of the
frac pump via a low-pressure line. The fluid end of the frac pump
pumps the fracking fluid to the well head via a high-pressure line.
Thus, the fluid end of the frac pump is currently the point of
transition of the fracking fluid from low pressure to high pressure
in the hydraulic fracturing system. Specifically, the fluid end
brings the fracking fluid in from the low-pressure line and forces
it out into the high-pressure line. The fracking fluid often
contains solid particulates and/or corrosive material such that the
fracking fluid can be relatively abrasive.
[0005] Over time, the flow of the abrasive fracking fluid through
the fluid end of the frac pump can erode and wears down the
interior surfaces (e.g., the various internal passages, etc.)
and/or the internal components (e.g., valves, seats, springs, etc.)
of the fluid end, which can eventually cause the fluid end of the
frac pump to fail. Failure of the fluid end of a frac pump can have
relatively devastating repercussions and/or can be relatively
costly.
SUMMARY
[0006] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
Nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of
the claimed subject matter.
[0007] In a first aspect, a fluid delivery device for a hydraulic
fracturing system includes a fluid conduit having a fracking fluid
outlet configured to be fluidly connected to a well head for
delivering a fracking fluid to the well head. The fluid conduit
includes a base fluid inlet configured to be fluidly connected to
the outlet of a frac pump such that the fluid conduit is configured
to receive a flow of base fluid from the frac pump through the base
fluid inlet. An injection system is fluidly connected to the fluid
conduit downstream from the base fluid inlet and upstream from the
fracking fluid outlet. The injection system is configured to be
fluidly connected to a material source. The injection system is
configured to inject at least one material of the fracking fluid
from the material source into the fluid conduit downstream from the
frac pump to generate the fracking fluid within the fluid
conduit.
[0008] In some embodiments, the fluid conduit alternates between a
lower-pressure state wherein the injection system draws the at
least one material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit
from the material source and a higher-pressure state wherein the
fluid conduit delivers the fracking fluid to the well head.
[0009] In one embodiment, the injection system includes a material
inlet fluidly connected to the fluid conduit downstream from the
base fluid inlet and configured to be fluidly connected to a source
of the at least one material. The material inlet includes a
material inlet valve. The injection system further includes a base
fluid outlet fluidly connected to the fluid conduit downstream from
the material inlet and configured to be fluidly connected to an
inlet of the frac pump. The base fluid outlet includes a base fluid
outlet valve. The injection system is configured to draw the at
least one material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit
from the material source when the material inlet valve and the base
fluid outlet valve are open.
[0010] In some embodiments, the injection system includes a
material inlet valve and a base fluid outlet valve. The fluid
conduit includes a base fluid inlet valve and a fracking fluid
outlet valve. The injection system is configured to draw the at
least one material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit
when the material inlet valve and the base fluid outlet valve are
open and the base fluid inlet valve and the fracking fluid outlet
valve are closed. The fluid conduit is configured to deliver the
fracking fluid to the well head when the material inlet valve and
the base fluid outlet valve are closed and the base fluid inlet
valve and the fracking fluid outlet valve are open.
[0011] In some embodiments, the fluid conduit is a first fluid
conduit and the injection system is a first injection system. The
fluid delivery device further includes second and third fluid
conduits and second and third injection systems fluidly connected
to the second and third fluid conduits, respectively. The second
and third injection systems are configured to inject the at least
one material of the fracking fluid into the second and third fluid
conduits downstream from the frac pump.
[0012] In one embodiment, the injection system includes a
syringe.
[0013] In some embodiments, the injection system includes a syringe
having a material chamber fluidly connected to the fluid conduit
downstream from the frac pump. The material chamber is configured
to be fluidly connected to the material source. The syringe
includes a piston that is configured to retract to draw the at
least one material of the fracking fluid into the material chamber
from the material source. The piston is configured to extend to
push the at least one material of the fracking fluid from the
material chamber into the fluid conduit downstream from the frac
pump.
[0014] In some embodiments, the injection system includes a syringe
having a piston, an actuator, and a base fluid chamber. The base
fluid chamber is configured to be fluidly connected to the outlet
of the frac pump. The actuator is configured to retract the piston.
The base fluid chamber includes a base fluid inlet valve configured
to open such that base fluid pressure from the outlet of the frac
pump extends the piston.
[0015] In some embodiments, the injection system comprises a base
fluid outlet that is configured to be fluidly connected to an inlet
of the frac pump.
[0016] In a second aspect, a method for operating a hydraulic
fracturing system includes pumping base fluid from the outlet of a
frac pump into a fluid conduit, injecting at least one material of
a fracking fluid into the fluid conduit downstream from the frac
pump to generate the fracking fluid within the fluid conduit, and
pumping the fracking fluid from the fluid conduit into a well
head.
[0017] In some embodiments, injecting the at least one material of
the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit includes closing a base
fluid inlet valve at a base fluid inlet of the fluid conduit that
is fluidly connected to an outlet of the frac pump, and opening a
base fluid outlet valve at a base fluid outlet of the fluid conduit
that is fluidly connected to an inlet of the frac pump.
[0018] In some embodiments, pumping the fracking fluid from the
fluid conduit into the well head includes closing a base fluid
outlet valve at a base fluid outlet of the fluid conduit that is
fluidly connected to an inlet of the frac pump, and opening a base
fluid inlet valve at a base fluid inlet of the fluid conduit that
is fluidly connected to an outlet of the frac pump.
[0019] In one embodiment, injecting the at least one material of
the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit includes injecting the at
least one material into the fluid conduit from a material chamber
of a syringe that is fluidly connected to the fluid conduit
downstream from the frac pump.
[0020] In some embodiments, injecting the at least one material of
the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit includes extending a
piston of a syringe to push the at least one material from the
syringe into the fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump.
[0021] In one embodiment, injecting the at least one material of
the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit includes creating a
lower-pressure state within the fluid conduit to draw the at least
one material into the fluid conduit from a material source, and
pumping the fracking fluid from the fluid conduit into the well
head includes creating a higher-pressure state within the fluid
conduit to push the fracking fluid from the fluid conduit into the
well head.
[0022] In a third aspect, a hydraulic fracturing system includes a
material source, a frac pump having a pump outlet and a pump inlet,
and a fluid conduit having a fracking fluid outlet configured to be
fluidly connected to a well head for delivering a fracking fluid to
the well head. The fluid conduit includes a base fluid inlet
fluidly connected to the pump outlet of the frac pump such that the
fluid conduit is configured to receive a flow of base fluid from
the frac pump through the base fluid inlet. An injection system is
fluidly connected to the material source for receiving a flow of at
least one material of the fracking fluid from the material source.
The injection system is fluidly connected to the fluid conduit
downstream from the base fluid inlet and upstream from the fracking
fluid outlet. The injection system is configured to inject the at
least one material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit
downstream from the frac pump.
[0023] In some embodiments, the fluid conduit alternates between a
lower-pressure state wherein the injection system draws the at
least one material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit and
a higher-pressure state wherein the fluid conduit delivers the
fracking fluid to the well head.
[0024] In one embodiment, the injection system includes a material
inlet valve and a base fluid outlet valve, and the fluid conduit
includes a base fluid inlet valve and a fracking fluid outlet
valve. The injection system is configured to draw the at least one
material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit when the
material inlet valve and the base fluid outlet valve are open and
the base fluid inlet valve and the fracking fluid outlet valve are
closed. The fluid conduit is configured to deliver the fracking
fluid to the well head when the material inlet valve and the base
fluid outlet valve are closed and the base fluid inlet valve and
the fracking fluid outlet valve are open.
[0025] In some embodiments, the injection system comprises a
syringe.
[0026] In some embodiments, the injection system includes a syringe
having a material chamber fluidly connected to the fluid conduit
downstream from the frac pump. The material chamber is fluidly
connected to the material source. The syringe includes a piston
that is configured to retract to draw the at least one material of
the fracking fluid into the material chamber from the material
source. The piston is configured to extend to push the at least one
material of the fracking fluid from the material chamber into the
fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump.
[0027] Other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent
from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this disclosure
and which illustrate, by way of example, principles of the
inventions disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] The accompanying drawings facilitate an understanding of the
various embodiments.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic fracturing
system according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a fluid delivery device of
the hydraulic fracturing system shown in FIG. 1 according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
fluid delivery device shown in FIG. 2 illustrating an inlet segment
of the fluid delivery device according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
fluid delivery device shown in FIG. 2 illustrating an outlet
segment of the fluid delivery device according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a portion of the hydraulic
fracturing system shown in FIG. 1.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another fluid delivery
device that can be used with the hydraulic fracturing system shown
in FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the fluid delivery device
shown in FIG. 6.
[0036] FIG. 8 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating a method for
operating a hydraulic fracturing system according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0037] FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating another method
for operating a hydraulic fracturing system according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 10 is an exemplary flowchart illustrating another
method for operating a hydraulic fracturing system according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0039] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Certain embodiments of the disclosure provide a fluid
delivery system that injects at least one material of a fracking
fluid into a fluid conduit downstream from a frac pump 104. Certain
embodiments of the disclosure provide a method for operating a
hydraulic fracturing system that includes injecting at least one
material of a fracking fluid into a fluid conduit downstream of a
frac pump.
[0041] Certain embodiments of the disclosure can drastically
mitigate the amount of relatively abrasive material that flows
through the fluid end of a frac pump by introducing relatively
abrasive material into a hydraulic fracturing system after the
fluid end of a frac pump. In some examples, the fluid end of a frac
pump will pump a relatively non-abrasive base fluid (e.g., water)
exclusively. Certain embodiments of the disclosure reduce wear and
erosion on the interior surfaces (e.g., the various internal
passages, etc.) and/or the internal components (e.g., valves,
seats, springs, etc.) of the fluid end of a frac pump. Certain
embodiments of the present disclosure increase (i.e., extend) the
longevity and thus the operational life of the fluid ends of frac
pumps.
[0042] The fluid delivery systems and the operational methods
disclosed by certain embodiments herein that introduce relatively
abrasive materials of a fracking fluid after the fluid end of a
frac pump can provide numerous benefits over conventional systems
used for hydraulic fracturing, for example the following benefits,
without limitation: a fluid end of a frac pump that wears
significantly less due to the lack of relatively abrasive material
flowing through the fluid end; internal surfaces and/or components
of a fluid end that wear significantly less due to the lack of
relatively abrasive material flowing through the fluid end; gates
of a hydraulic fracturing system will take on significant wear
instead of the fluid end of a frac pump; and the fluid end of a
frac pump will resist failure for a longer period of time.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hydraulic fracturing
system 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. The hydraulic
fracturing system 100 is used to pump a fracking fluid into the
well head 102 of a wellbore (not shown) for performing a fracturing
operation, for example fracturing a subterranean formation to drill
for oil or natural gas, cementing the wellbore, treating the
wellbore and/or formation, etc. The hydraulic fracturing system 100
includes a frac pump 104, one or more base fluid sources 106, an
optional missile 108, one or more material sources 110, a blender
112, and a fluid delivery device 114. Although only one is shown in
FIG. 1, the hydraulic fracturing system 100 can include any number
of the fluid delivery devices 114.
[0044] The base fluid source 106 includes a tank, reservoir, and/or
other container that holds a base fluid of the fracking fluid. As
will be described below, the base fluid is mixed with one or more
other materials to form the fracking fluid. The base fluid of the
base fluid source 106 can be any fluid that is relatively
non-abrasive, for example, water, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG),
propane, and/or the like. In some examples, the base fluid is
relatively non-corrosive. Although only one is shown in FIG. 1, the
hydraulic fracturing system 100 can include any number of the base
fluid sources 106. According to some embodiments, one or more of
the base fluid sources 106 is freestanding on the ground, mounted
to a trailer for towing between operational sites, mounted to a
skid, loaded on a manifold, otherwise transported, and/or the
like.
[0045] The frac pump 104 includes a power end portion 116 and a
fluid end portion 118 operably coupled thereto. The power end
portion 116 includes a crankshaft (not shown) that is driven by an
engine or motor 120. The fluid end portion 118 includes a fluid end
block or fluid cylinder 122 that includes an inlet 124 fluidly
connected to the base fluid source 106 and an outlet 126 fluidly
connected to the fluid delivery device 114 (e.g., via the missile
108 as described below). In operation, the engine or motor 120
turns the crankshaft, which reciprocates a plunger rod assembly
(not shown) between the power end portion 116 and the fluid end
portion 118 to thereby pump (i.e., move) a flow of the base fluid
from the base fluid source 106 into the inlet 124, through the
fluid cylinder 122, and out the outlet 126 to the fluid delivery
device 114 (e.g., via the missile 108 as described below). Thus,
the inlet 124 defines a lower-pressure side of the frac pump 104
while the outlet 126 defines a higher-pressure side of the frac
pump 104. In some examples, the frac pump 104 is freestanding on
the ground, mounted to a trailer for towing between operational
sites, mounted to a skid, loaded on a manifold, otherwise
transported, and/or the like. Although only a single frac pump 104
is shown in FIG. 1, the hydraulic fracturing system 100 can include
any number of frac pumps 104.
[0046] The missile 108 is a fluid manifold that is fluidly
connected between the frac pump 104 and the fluid delivery device
114 for delivering the base fluid from the frac pump 104 to the
fluid delivery device 114. More particularly, the missile 108
includes an inlet 128 fluidly connected to the outlet 126 of the
frac pump 104 and an outlet 130 fluidly connected to the fluid
delivery device 114. The missile 108 can be freestanding on the
ground, mounted to a trailer for towing between operational sites,
mounted to a skid, loaded on a manifold, otherwise transported,
and/or the like. Optionally, the missile 108 returns fracking fluid
that has been pumped into the wellbore by the hydraulic fracturing
system 100 to a tank, reservoir, and/or other container (e.g., the
base fluid source 106) and/or the frac pump 104. For example, a
lower-pressure side of the missile 108 can fluidly connected to the
inlet 124 of the frac pump 104.
[0047] As described above, the missile 108 is an optional component
of the hydraulic fracturing system 100. Accordingly, in some
embodiments one or more frac pumps 104 is directly fluidly
connected to a corresponding fluid delivery device 114. More
particularly, the outlet 126 of a frac pump 104 of the hydraulic
fracturing system 100 can be directly fluidly connected to a
corresponding fluid delivery device 1114 to thereby pump (i.e.,
move) a flow of the base fluid through the fluid cylinder 122 and
out the outlet 126 of the frac pump 104 directly to the fluid
delivery device 114.
[0048] The material source 110 includes a tank, reservoir, and/or
other container that holds one or more materials that are mixed
with the base fluid to form the fracking fluid that is delivered to
the well head 102 by the hydraulic fracturing system 100. The
material(s) held by the material source 110 can include any
material(s) that can be mixed with the base fluid to form a
fracking fluid that is suitable for performing a fracturing
operation, for example a slurry, sand, acid, proppant, a sand and
base fluid mixture, a gel, a foam, a compressed gas, and/or the
like. The hydraulic fracturing system 100 can include any number of
the material sources 110, each of which can hold any number of
different materials. According to some embodiments, one or more of
the material sources 110 is freestanding on the ground, mounted to
a trailer for towing between operational sites, mounted to a skid,
loaded on a manifold, otherwise transported, and/or the like.
[0049] The blender 112 is configured to deliver a flow of one or
more materials from the material source(s) 110 to the fluid
delivery device 110. More particularly, the blender 112 includes an
inlet 132 fluidly connected to the material source(s) 110 and an
outlet 134 fluidly connected to the fluid delivery device 114. The
blender 112 can mix two or more materials from two or more
different material sources 110 together for delivery to the fluid
delivery device 114. In some examples, the blender 112 is fluidly
connected to a base fluid source 108 or another source of base
fluid for mixing base fluid with one or more materials from one or
more material sources 110 for delivery to the fluid delivery device
114. Moreover, in some examples the blender 112 mixes base fluid
(whether from the base fluid source 108 or another source) with one
or more materials from one or more different material sources 110
to form a finished (i.e., complete) fracking fluid that is ready
for delivery to the fluid delivery device 114. Optionally, the
blender 112 includes a pump (not shown) and/or other device for
delivering the flow of material(s) to the fluid delivery device
114.
[0050] The blender 112 can be freestanding on the ground, mounted
to a trailer for towing between operational sites, mounted to a
skid, loaded on a manifold, otherwise transported, and/or the like.
The hydraulic fracturing system 100 can include any number of
blenders 112. The blender 112 and the material source 110 may each
be referred to herein as a "material source". For example, the
"material source" recited in the claims of the present disclosure
may refer to the blender 112 and/or one or more material sources
110.
[0051] Referring now to FIG. 2, an exemplary embodiment of the
fluid delivery device 114 will now be described. The fluid delivery
device 114 includes one or more fluid conduits 136 and one or more
corresponding injection systems 138. In the exemplary embodiment of
the fluid delivery device 114, three fluid conduits 136 and three
corresponding injection systems 138 are provided. But, the fluid
delivery device 114 can include any number of fluid conduits 136
and corresponding injection systems 138. Although shown in FIG. 2
as being mounted on a trailer, additionally or alternatively the
fluid delivery device 114 can be freestanding on the ground,
mounted to a skid, loaded on a manifold, otherwise transported,
and/or the like.
[0052] Each fluid conduit 136 includes a base fluid inlet 140, a
mixing segment 142, and a fracking fluid outlet 144. The base fluid
inlet 140 is configured to be fluidly connected to the outlet 126
(FIGS. 1 and 5) of the frac pump 104 (FIGS. 1 and 5) for receiving
the flow of base fluid from the frac pump 104. The base fluid inlet
140 defines a higher-pressure inlet of the fluid conduit 136 that
receives the flow of base fluid from the higher-pressure side
(i.e., the outlet 126) of the frac pump 104. Although shown as
being indirectly fluidly connected to the outlet 126 of the frac
pump 104 via the missile 108 (FIG. 1), as described above the base
fluid inlet 140 of the fluid conduit 126 can be directly fluidly
connected to the outlet 126 of the frac pump 104.
[0053] As will be described below, the injection system 138 is
configured to inject at least one material of the fracking fluid
(e.g., from the blender 112 shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, directly from
one or more material sources 110 shown in FIG. 1, etc.) into the
mixing segment 142 of the fluid conduit 136 to generate the
fracking fluid within the mixing segment 142. The fracking fluid
outlet 144 is configured to be fluidly connected to the well head
102 (FIGS. 1 and 5) for delivering a flow of the fracking fluid to
the well head 102. The fracking fluid outlet 144 defines a
higher-pressure outlet of the fluid conduit 136.
[0054] FIG. 3 illustrates an inlet side 146 of the fluid delivery
device 114. The inlet side 146 includes the base fluid inlet 140 of
the fluid conduit 136 and a base fluid inlet valve 148. The base
fluid inlet valve 148 controls the flow of base fluid into the base
fluid inlet 140 of the fluid conduit 136. More particularly, the
base fluid inlet valve 148 is moveable between an open position
(shown in FIG. 5) that enables base fluid to flow from the frac
pump 104 (FIGS. 1 and 5) into the mixing segment 142 of the fluid
conduit 136 through the base fluid inlet 140 and a closed position
(shown in FIG. 5) that prevents base fluid from the frac pump 104
from flowing through the base fluid inlet 140 into the mixing
segment 142. The base fluid inlet valve 148 thus provides an
isolation valve on the higher-pressure inlet of the fluid conduit
136.
[0055] Movement of the base fluid inlet valve 148 between the open
and closed positions is controlled by a suitable control system
(not shown) of the hydraulic fracturing system 100 (FIGS. 1 and 5).
In some examples, movement of the base fluid inlet valve 148
between the open and closed positions is based on a particle count
sensor 150 (shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5) of the mixing segment 142
of the fluid conduit 136, as will be described below. In other
examples, the base fluid inlet valve 148 is moved between the open
and closed positions based on a predetermined timing scheme. In the
exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device 114, the base
fluid inlet valve 148 is a plug valve. But, additionally or
alternatively the base fluid inlet valve 148 can include any other
type of valve that enables the hydraulic fracturing system 100 to
function as described and/or illustrated herein.
[0056] Each injection system 138 includes a material inlet 152 that
is fluidly connected to the mixing segment 142 of the fluid conduit
136. Accordingly, the material inlet 152 is fluidly connected to
the fluid conduit 136 downstream from the base fluid inlet 140 and
thus downstream from the frac pump 104, as is shown herein. The
material inlet 152 is configured to be fluidly connected to the
outlet 134 (FIGS. 1 and 5) of the blender 112 (FIGS. 1 and 5) for
receiving a flow of at least one material of the fracking fluid
from the blender 112. The material inlet 152 defines a
lower-pressure inlet of the fluid conduit 136.
[0057] The material inlet 152 includes a material inlet valve 154
that controls the flow of material(s) from the blender 112 through
the material inlet 152 into the mixing segment 142 of the fluid
conduit 136. Specifically, the material inlet valve 154 is moveable
between an open position and a closed position. The open position
of the material inlet valve 154 enables material(s) to flow from
the blender 112 through the material inlet 152 into the mixing
segment 142 of the fluid conduit 136. The closed position of the
material inlet valve 154 prevents material(s) from the blender 112
from flowing through the material inlet 152 into the mixing segment
142 of the fluid conduit 136.
[0058] In the exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device
114, the material inlet valve 154 is a check valve that is moved
between the open and closed positions via pressure differentials
across the valve 154, as will be described below. In other
examples, movement of the material inlet valve 154 between the open
and closed positions is controlled by the control system of the
hydraulic fracturing system 100 (e.g., based on the particle count
sensor 150, based on a predetermined timing scheme, etc.). In
addition or alternatively to a check valve, the material inlet
valve 154 can include any other type of valve that enables the
hydraulic fracturing system 100 to function as described and/or
illustrated herein.
[0059] In the exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device
114, the material inlets 152 are shown in FIG. 3 as including a
common entrance 155 for fluid connection with the material
source(s) 110 (e.g., via the blender 112). But, in other examples
one or more of the material inlets 152 can include a dedicated
entrance for a separate fluid connection with the material
source(s) 110 (e.g., via the blender 112).
[0060] Although shown in FIG. 5 as being indirectly fluidly
connected to the material source(s) 110 via the blender 112, the
material inlet 152 of a fluid conduit 136 can be directly fluidly
connected to one or more of the material sources 110 for receiving
a flow of at least one material of the fracking fluid directly
therefrom. In some examples, the hydraulic fracturing system 100
does not include a blender 112.
[0061] FIG. 4 illustrates an outlet side 156 of the fluid delivery
device 114. The outlet side 156 includes the fracking fluid outlet
144 of the fluid conduit 136. The fracking fluid outlet 144
includes a fracking fluid outlet valve 158 that controls the flow
of the fracking fluid out of the fracking fluid outlet 144 to the
well head 102 (FIGS. 1 and 5). The fracking fluid outlet valve 158
is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The
closed position of the fracking fluid outlet valve 158 prevents
fluid (e.g., base fluid, the fracking fluid, etc.) from flowing
from the mixing segment 142 out to the well head 102 through the
fracking fluid outlet 144. The open position of the fracking fluid
outlet valve 158 enables the fracking fluid to flow from mixing
segment 142 through the fracking fluid outlet 144 into the well
head 102.
[0062] The exemplary embodiment of the fracking fluid outlet valve
158 is a check valve that is moved between the open and closed
positions via pressure differentials across the valve 158, as will
be described below. In other examples, movement of the fracking
fluid outlet valve 158 between the open and closed positions is
controlled by the control system of the hydraulic fracturing system
100 (e.g., based on the particle count sensor 150, based on a
predetermined timing scheme, etc.). In addition or alternatively to
a check valve, the fracking fluid outlet valve 158 can include any
other type of valve that enables the hydraulic fracturing system
100 to function as described and/or illustrated herein.
[0063] Each injection system 138 includes a base fluid outlet 160
that is fluidly connected to the mixing segment 142 of the fluid
conduit 136 downstream from the material inlet 152 (FIGS. 3 and 5).
The base fluid outlet 160 is configured to be fluidly connected to
the inlet 124 (FIGS. 1 and 5) of the frac pump 104 (FIGS. 1 and 5)
for discharging base fluid from the mixing segment 142 of the fluid
conduit 136. The base fluid outlet 160 defines a lower-pressure
outlet of the fluid conduit 136.
[0064] Although shown in FIG. 5 as being directly fluidly connected
to the inlet 124 of the frac pump 104, the base fluid outlet 160 of
a fluid conduit 136 can be directly fluidly connected to one or
more base fluid sources 106 (FIG. 1) to thereby indirectly fluidly
connect the base fluid outlet 160 to the inlet 124 of the frac pump
104.
[0065] Referring again to FIG. 4, the base fluid outlet 160
includes a base fluid outlet valve 162 that controls the flow of
base fluid out of the mixing segment 142 through the base fluid
outlet 160. Specifically, the base fluid outlet valve 162 is
moveable between an open position (shown in FIG. 5) that enables
base fluid to flow out of the mixing segment 142 through the base
fluid outlet 160 and a closed position (shown in FIG. 5) that
prevents fluid (e.g., base fluid, the fracking fluid, etc.) from
flowing out of the mixing segment 142 through the base fluid outlet
160. The base fluid outlet valve 162 thus provides an isolation
valve on the lower-pressure outlet of the fluid conduit 136.
[0066] Movement of the base fluid outlet valve 162 between the open
and closed positions is controlled by the control system of the
hydraulic fracturing system 100 (FIGS. 1 and 5). In some examples,
movement of the base fluid outlet valve 162 between the open and
closed positions is based on the particle count sensor 150 of the
mixing segment 142 of the fluid conduit 136, as will be described
below. In other examples, the base fluid outlet valve 162 is moved
between the open and closed positions based on a predetermined
timing scheme. The exemplary embodiment of the base fluid outlet
valve 162 is a plug valve. But, additionally or alternatively the
base fluid outlet valve 162 can include any other type of valve
that enables the hydraulic fracturing system 100 to function as
described and/or illustrated herein.
[0067] In the exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device
114, the base fluid outlets 162 are shown in FIG. 4 as including a
common exit 164 for fluid connection with the frac pump 104 (FIGS.
1 and 5) or the base fluid source(s) 106 (FIG. 1). But, in other
examples one or more of the base fluid outlets 162 can include a
dedicated exit for a separate fluid connection with the frac pump
104 and/or the base fluid source(s) 106.
[0068] Referring now to FIG. 5, operation of the fluid delivery
device 114 will now be described. As described above, the exemplary
embodiment of the fluid delivery device 114 includes three fluid
conduits 136a, 136b, and 136c and three corresponding injection
systems 138a, 138b, and 138c. Operation of the fluid conduit 136a
and the corresponding injection system 138a will now be described
to provide a general understanding of the operation of the fluid
delivery device 114. The operation of each of the fluid conduits
136 and corresponding injections systems 138 is substantially
similar such that the operational description of the fluid conduit
136a and the corresponding injection system 138a should be
understood as being representative of the operation of the fluid
conduits 136b and 136c and respective injection systems 138b and
138c. The combined operation of the fluid conduits 136a, 136b, and
136c and respective injection systems 138a, 138b, and 138c will be
described below.
[0069] At the beginning of a cycle, an injection phase of the cycle
is initiated wherein the base fluid inlet valve 148 of the base
fluid inlet 140 is closed by the control system of the hydraulic
fracturing system 100. The base fluid outlet valve 162 of the base
fluid outlet 160 is opened to the open position by the control
system of the hydraulic fracturing system 100 such that suction
from the lower-pressure side of the frac pump 104 opens the
material inlet valve 154 and draws one or more materials of the
fracking fluid from the blender 112 into the mixing segment 142 of
the fluid conduit 136a through the material inlet 152. In some
examples, the base fluid outlet valve 162 is opened a predetermined
amount of time after the base fluid inlet valve 148 is closed. In
other examples, the base fluid outlet valve 162 is opened
simultaneously as the base fluid inlet valve 148 is closed.
[0070] The suction of the lower-pressure side of the frac pump 104
closes the fracking fluid outlet valve 158 of the fracking fluid
outlet 144 to prevent fluid contained within the mixing segment 142
from flowing out to the well head 102 through the fracking fluid
outlet 144 during the injection phase of the cycle. The suction of
the lower-pressure side of the frac pump 104 also draws base fluid
contained within the mixing segment 142 out of the fluid conduit
136a through the base fluid outlet 160. Base fluid drawn out of the
mixing segment 142 through the base fluid outlet 160 by the suction
of the inlet 124 of the frac pump 104 is drawn into one or more of
the base fluid sources 106 or directly into the inlet 124 of the
frac pump 104 such that at least some base fluid is recycled during
operation of the fluid deliver device 114.
[0071] In some examples, the material(s) drawn into the mixing
segment 142 from the blender 112 during the injection phase of the
cycle mix with base fluid remaining within the mixing segment 142
to form (i.e., generate) the fracking fluid within the mixing
segment 142. In other examples, the material(s) drawn into the
mixing segment 142 from the blender 112 during the injection phase
of the cycle define a finished (i.e., complete) fracking fluid that
is ready for delivery to the well head 102. In still other
examples, the material(s) drawn into the mixing segment 142 from
the blender 112 during the injection phase of the cycle mix with
base fluid that is pushed into the mixing segment 142 through the
base fluid inlet 140 during a delivery phase of the cycle described
below to form (i.e., generate) the fracking fluid within the mixing
segment 142.
[0072] Once the particle sensor 150 indicates that the mixing
segment 142 of the fluid conduit 136a contains fracking fluid that
is ready for delivery to the well head 102, the delivery phase of
the cycle is initiated. For example, the particle sensor 150 can
indicate that the material(s) of the fracking fluid that are mixed
with base fluid to form the fracking fluid are above a
predetermined number of particles (e.g., above a specific parts per
million (PPM), etc.). The delivery phase of the cycle is initiated
by closing the base fluid outlet valve 162 of the base fluid outlet
160 to halt suction from the lower-pressure side of the frac pump
104. The base fluid inlet valve 148 of the base fluid inlet 140 is
opened to the open position to transition the mixing segment 142 of
the fluid conduit 136a from the lower-pressure state of the
injection phase of the cycle to the higher-pressure state of the
delivery phase of the cycle. During the higher-pressure state of
the delivery phase of the cycle, the higher-pressure side (i.e.,
the outlet 126) of the frac pump 104 pushes (i.e., forces) a flow
of base fluid into the mixing segment 142 of the fluid conduit 136a
through the base fluid inlet 140, which opens the fracking fluid
outlet valve 158 and closes the material inlet valve 154 to thereby
push (i.e., force) the fracking fluid contained within the mixing
segment 142 out through the fracking fluid outlet 144 to the well
head 102. Accordingly, the fracking fluid generated within the
mixing segment 142 of the fluid conduit 126a is delivered to the
well head 102 during the delivery phase of the cycle. In some
examples, the base fluid inlet valve 148 is opened a predetermined
amount of time after the base fluid outlet valve 162 is closed. In
other examples, the base fluid inlet valve 148 is opened
simultaneously as the base fluid outlet valve 162 is closed.
[0073] Once the flow of base fluid from the frac pump 104 has
pushed the fracking fluid out of the mixing segment 142, the
particle sensor 150 is triggered to indicate that the mixing
segment 142 of the fluid conduit 136a contains base fluid. For
example, the particle sensor 150 can indicate that the material(s)
of the fracking fluid that are mixed with base fluid to form the
fracking fluid are below a predetermined number of particles (e.g.,
below a specific parts per million (PPM), etc.). The injection
phase of the cycle can then begin again to repeat the cycle of
alternating the fluid conduit 136a between the lower-pressure state
of the injection phase and the higher-pressure state of the
delivery phase. As described above, a predetermined timing scheme
can be used to cycle the fluid conduit 126a between the injection
phase and the delivery phase in addition or alternative to the
particle sensor 150.
[0074] As described above, the exemplary embodiment of the fluid
delivery device 114 includes three fluid conduits 136 and three
injection systems 138. Using two or more fluid conduits 136 and
corresponding injection systems 138 (i.e., two or more fluid
conduit 136 and injection system 128 pairs) and/or two or more
fluid delivery devices 114 can enable the fluid delivery device(s)
114 to deliver a substantially continuous (e.g., uninterrupted)
flow of fracking fluid to the well head 102 during operation of the
hydraulic fracturing system 100. More particularly, the fluid
conduits 136 and corresponding injection systems 138 (and/or two or
more fluid delivery devices 114) can be cycled between the
injection and delivery phases in an offset timing pattern during
operation. For example, at all times during operation of a fluid
delivery device 114: one of the fluid conduits 136 can be in the
higher-pressure delivery phase; while another fluid conduit 136 is
in the lower-pressure injection phase; and while yet another fluid
conduit 136 is in the higher-pressure delivery phase, the
lower-pressure injection phase, or is transitioning between the
injection and delivery phases. The ability of the fluid delivery
device(s) 114 to deliver a substantially continuous supply of the
fracking fluid to the well head 102 mitigates the potential for
base fluid that has not been mixed with any other materials of the
fracking fluid to flow into the well head 102.
[0075] The hydraulic fracturing system 100 can include any number
of the fluid delivery devices 114 (each of which can include any
number of the fluid conduits 136 and corresponding injection
systems 138) to facilitate delivering a substantially continuous
flow of fracking fluid to the well head 102. Non-limiting examples
include a fluid delivery device 114 having two, three, four, five,
ten, or twenty fluid conduit 136 and injection system 138 pairs
timed to deliver a substantially continuous flow of fracking fluid
to the well head 102. Other non-limiting examples include two,
three, four, five, ten, or twenty fluid delivery devices 114 (each
of which can include any number of the fluid conduits 136 and
corresponding injection systems 138) timed to deliver a
substantially continuous flow of fracking fluid to the well head
102.
[0076] One example of a fluid delivery device 114 that can deliver
a substantially continuous flow of fracking fluid to the well head
102 is the three-pipe fluid delivery device 114 shown in FIG. 5.
More particularly, as shown in FIG. 5, the fluid conduit 136a is in
the higher-pressure delivery phase wherein the base fluid inlet
valve 148 and the fracking fluid outlet valve 158 are open and the
material inlet valve 154 and the base fluid outlet valve 162 are
closed. The fluid conduit 136b is in the lower-pressure injection
phase wherein the base fluid outlet valve 162 and the material
inlet valve 154 are open and the base fluid inlet valve 148 and the
fracking fluid outlet valve 162 are closed. The fluid conduit 136c
is transitioning from the higher-pressure delivery phase to the
lower-pressure injection phase as indicated by the base fluid inlet
valve 148 having been closed and the base fluid outlet valve 162
having been opened as a result of the mixing segment 142 of the
fluid conduit 136c containing base fluid as is shown in FIG. 5.
[0077] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another fluid delivery
device 214 that can be used with the hydraulic fracturing system
100 (FIGS. 1 and 5) according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring
now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the fluid delivery device 214 includes a
fluid conduit 236 and one or more injection systems 238. In the
exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device 214, three
injection systems 238a, 238b, and 238c are provided. But, the fluid
delivery device 214 can include any number of injection systems
238. According to some embodiments, the fluid delivery device 214
is mounted on a trailer, freestanding on the ground, mounted to a
skid, loaded on a manifold, otherwise transported, and/or the
like.
[0078] The fluid conduit 236 includes a base fluid inlet 240, a
mixing segment 242, and a fracking fluid outlet 244. The base fluid
inlet 240 is configured to be fluidly connected to the outlet 126
(FIGS. 1 and 5) of the frac pump 104 (FIGS. 1 and 5) for receiving
the flow of base fluid from the frac pump 104. The base fluid inlet
240 defines a higher-pressure inlet of the fluid conduit 236 that
receives the flow of base fluid from the higher-pressure side
(i.e., the outlet 126) of the frac pump 104. The base fluid inlet
240 can be indirectly fluidly connected to the outlet 126 of the
frac pump 104 via the missile 108 (FIG. 1) or can be directly
fluidly connected to the outlet 126 of the frac pump 104.
[0079] The injection system 238 is configured to inject at least
one material of the fracking fluid (e.g., from the blender 112
shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, directly from one or more material sources
110 shown in FIG. 1, etc.) into the mixing segment 242 of the fluid
conduit 236 to generate the fracking fluid within the mixing
segment 242. The fracking fluid outlet 244 is configured to be
fluidly connected to the well head 102 (FIGS. 1 and 5) for
delivering a flow of the fracking fluid to the well head 102. The
fracking fluid outlet 244 defines a higher-pressure outlet of the
fluid conduit 236.
[0080] Each injection system 238 includes a syringe 246 that
includes a material chamber 248, a base fluid chamber 250, a piston
252, and an actuator 254 (not shown in FIG. 7). The piston 252
includes a piston head 256 (not visible in FIG. 7) that extends
within the base fluid chamber 250 and a piston ram 258 (not visible
in FIG. 7) that extends within the material chamber 248. The piston
252 is configured to move between an extended position and a
retracted position such that the piston ram 258 extends and
retracts within the material chamber 248, as can be seen in FIG. 6.
For example, the piston ram 258 of the injection system 238a is
shown in FIG. 6 in the retracted position, while the piston ram 258
of the injection system 238b is shown in an extended position in
FIG. 6. Operation of the piston 252 will be described in more
detail below.
[0081] The actuator 254 is operatively connected to the piston 252
such that the actuator 254 is configured to move the piston 252
from the extended position to the retracted position. In the
exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device 214, the actuator
254 is a hydraulic oil pump that is configured to move hydraulic
oil into a hydraulic oil chamber 260 (not shown in FIG. 7) such
that the hydraulic oil exerts a force on a side 262 (not visible in
FIG. 7) of the piston head 256 that moves the piston 252 from the
extended position to the retracted position. The actuator 254 is
not limited to being a hydraulic oil pump, but rather additionally
or alternatively can include any type of actuator that is capable
of moving the piston 252 from the extended position to the
retracted position, for example an electric motor, a linear
actuator (e.g., a ball screw, a lead screw, a rotary screw, a
solenoid, etc.), and/or the like.
[0082] The material chamber 248 of the syringe 246 of each
injection system 238 includes a material inlet 264 that is fluidly
connected to the outlet 134 (FIGS. 1 and 5) of the blender 112 for
receiving a flow of at least one material of the fracking fluid
from the blender 112. The material inlet 264 includes a material
inlet valve 266 that controls the flow of material(s) from the
blender 112 through the material inlet 264 into the material
chamber 248 of the syringe 246. Specifically, the material inlet
valve 266 is moveable between an open position and a closed
position. The open position of the material inlet valve 266 enables
material(s) to flow from the blender 112 through the material inlet
264 into the material chamber 248. The closed position of the
material inlet valve 266 prevents material(s) from the blender 112
from flowing through the material inlet 264 into the material
chamber 248.
[0083] In the exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device
214, the material inlet valve 266 is a check valve that is moved
between the open and closed positions via pressure differentials
across the valve 266, as will be described below. In other
examples, movement of the material inlet valve 266 between the open
and closed positions is controlled by the control system of the
hydraulic fracturing system 100 (e.g., based on a position of the
piston ram 258, based on a predetermined timing scheme, based on a
particle count sensor (not shown) within the material chamber 248,
based on another sensor (not shown) within the material chamber
248, etc.). In addition or alternatively to a check valve, the
material inlet valve 266 can include any other type of valve that
enables the hydraulic fracturing system 100 to function as
described and/or illustrated herein.
[0084] Although described herein as being indirectly fluidly
connected to the material source(s) 110 via the blender 112, the
material inlet 264 of the material chamber 248 of each syringe 246
can be directly fluidly connected to one or more of the material
sources 110 for receiving a flow of at least one material of the
fracking fluid directly therefrom. In the exemplary embodiment of
the fluid delivery device 214, the material chambers 248 are shown
in FIG. 7 as including a common material inlet 264, but in other
examples one or more of the material chambers 248 can include a
dedicated material inlet for separate fluid connection with the
blender 112 and/or material source(s) 110.
[0085] The material chamber 248 of the syringe 246 of each
injection system 238 includes a material outlet 268 that is fluidly
connected to the mixing segment 242 of the fluid conduit 236.
Accordingly, the material outlet 268 is fluidly connected to the
fluid conduit 236 downstream from the base fluid inlet 240 and thus
downstream from the frac pump 104, as is shown herein.
[0086] The material outlet 268 includes a material outlet valve 270
that controls the flow of material(s) from the material chamber 248
of the syringe 246 through the material outlet 268 into the mixing
segment 242 of the fluid conduit 236. Specifically, the material
outlet valve 270 is moveable between an open position and a closed
position. The open position of the material outlet valve 270
enables material(s) to flow from the material chamber 248 through
the material outlet 268 into the mixing segment 242 of the fluid
conduit 236. The closed position of the material outlet valve 270
prevents material(s) from the material chamber 248 from flowing
through the material outlet 268 into the mixing segment 242 of the
fluid conduit 236.
[0087] In the exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device
214, the material outlet valve 270 is a check valve that is moved
between the open and closed positions via pressure differentials
across the valve 270, as will be described below. In other
examples, movement of the material outlet valve 270 between the
open and closed positions is controlled by the control system of
the hydraulic fracturing system 100 (e.g., based on a position of
the piston ram 258, based on a predetermined timing scheme, based
on a particle count sensor within the material chamber 248, based
on another sensor within the material chamber 248, etc.). In
addition or alternatively to a check valve, the material outlet
valve 270 can include any other type of valve that enables the
hydraulic fracturing system 100 to function as described and/or
illustrated herein.
[0088] The base fluid chamber 250 of the syringe 246 of each
injection system 238 includes a base fluid inlet 272 that is
configured to be fluidly connected to the outlet 126 of the frac
pump 104 for receiving a flow of base fluid from the frac pump 104.
The base fluid inlet 272 can be indirectly fluidly connected to the
outlet 126 of the frac pump 104 via the missile 108 or can be
directly fluidly connected to the outlet 126 of the frac pump 104.
The base fluid inlet 272 includes a base fluid inlet valve 274. The
base fluid inlet valve 274 controls the flow of base fluid into the
base fluid chamber 250 of the syringe 246. More particularly, the
base fluid inlet valve 274 is moveable between an open position
that enables base fluid to through the base fluid inlet 272 into
the base fluid chamber 250 and a closed position that prevents base
fluid from the frac pump 104 from flowing through the base fluid
inlet 272 into the base fluid chamber 250.
[0089] Movement of the base fluid inlet valve 274 between the open
and closed positions can be controlled by the control system of the
hydraulic fracturing system 100. In some examples, movement of the
base fluid inlet valve 274 between the open and closed positions is
based on a position of the piston head 256. In other examples,
movement of the base fluid inlet valve 274 between the open and
closed positions is based on a predetermined timing scheme, a
particle count sensor within the material chamber 248, another
sensor within the material chamber 248, and/or the like. In the
exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device 214, the base
fluid inlet valve 274 is a hydraulic fill valve. But, additionally
or alternatively the base fluid inlet valve 274 can include any
other type of valve (e.g., an integrated circuit (IC) driven valve,
a programmable logic control (PLC) driven valve, another
electrically controlled valve, etc.) that enables the hydraulic
fracturing system 100 to function as described and/or illustrated
herein.
[0090] In the exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device
214, the base fluid inlets 272 are shown in FIG. 7 as including a
common entrance 275 for fluid connection with the frac pump 104 or
the base fluid source(s) 106 (FIG. 1). But, in other examples one
or more of the base fluid inlets 272 can include a dedicated
entrance for a separate fluid connection with the frac pump 104
and/or the base fluid source(s) 106.
[0091] The base fluid chamber 250 of the syringe 246 of each
injection system 238 includes a base fluid outlet 276 that is
fluidly connected to one or more of the base fluid sources 106 for
discharging base fluid from the base fluid chamber 250 during
retraction of the piston 252. The base fluid outlet 276 includes a
base fluid outlet valve 278 that controls the flow of base fluid
out of the base fluid chamber 250 through the base fluid outlet
276. Specifically, the base fluid outlet valve 278 is moveable
between an open position that enables base fluid to flow out of the
base fluid chamber 250 through the base fluid outlet 276 and a
closed position that prevents base fluid from flowing out of the
base fluid chamber 250 through the base fluid outlet 276.
[0092] In some examples, movement of the base fluid outlet valve
278 between the open and closed positions is based on a pressure
differential across the valve 278 (e.g., the valve 278 is a check
valve). In other examples, movement of the base fluid outlet valve
278 between the open and closed positions is based on a
predetermined timing scheme, a particle count sensor within the
material chamber 248, another sensor within the material chamber
248, a position of the piston head 256, and/or the like. Movement
of the base fluid outlet valve 278 between the open and closed
positions can be controlled by the control system of the hydraulic
fracturing system 100. In the exemplary embodiment of the fluid
delivery device 214, the base fluid outlet valve 278 is a hydraulic
bleed valve. But, additionally or alternatively the base fluid
outlet valve 274 can include any other type of valve (e.g., an IC
driven valve, a PLC driven valve, another electrically controlled
valve, etc.) that enables the hydraulic fracturing system 100 to
function as described and/or illustrated herein.
[0093] In the exemplary embodiment of the fluid delivery device
214, the base fluid outlets 276 are shown in FIG. 7 as including a
common exit 277 for fluid connection with the base fluid source(s)
106. But, in other examples one or more of the base fluid outlets
276 can include a dedicated exit for a separate fluid connection
with the base fluid source(s) 106.
[0094] Operation of the syringe 240 of the injection system 238a
will now be described to provide a general understanding of the
operation of the fluid delivery device 214. The operation of the
syringes 240 of each of the injections systems 238 is substantially
similar such that the operational description of the injection
system 238a should be understood as being representative of the
operation of the injection systems 238b and 238b.
[0095] At the beginning of a cycle, the actuator 254 moves the
piston 252 to the retracted position thereby creating a
lower-pressure suction that opens the material inlet valve 266 and
draws one or more materials of the fracking fluid from the blender
112 into the material chamber 248 through the material inlet 264.
Movement of the piston 252 toward the retracted position also opens
the base fluid outlet valve 278 such that base fluid within the
base fluid chamber 250 is discharged therefrom through the base
fluid outlet 276. In the exemplary embodiment, the suction within
the material chamber 248 and/or a bias of the material outlet valve
270 to the closed position closes (or maintains as closed) the
material outlet valve 270 during retraction of the piston 252. The
base fluid inlet valve 274 is also in the closed position during
movement of the piston 252 toward the retracted position.
[0096] Once the piston 252 reaches a fully retracted position, the
base fluid outlet valve 278 closes and the base fluid inlet valve
274 opens such that base fluid from the outlet 126 of the frac pump
104 flows into the base fluid chamber 250. The pressure exerted by
the flow of base fluid on a side 280 of the piston head 256 is
effectively greater than the pressure exerted on the opposite side
262 of the piston head 256 by the hydraulic oil, which causes the
piston 252 to move from the retracted position to the extended
position. As the piston 252 moves to the extended position, the
piston ram 258 pressurizes the material(s) from the blender 112
contained within the material chamber 248 such that the material
outlet valve opens 270 opens and the material(s) contained within
the material chamber 248 discharge (i.e., are injected) into the
mixing segment 242 through the material outlet 268 to thereby
generate the fracking fluid within the mixing segment 242. In the
exemplary embodiment, the pressure within the material chamber 248
and/or a bias of the material inlet valve 266 to the closed
position closes the material outlet inlet valve 266 at the onset of
extension of the piston 252.
[0097] Once the material(s) drawn into the material chamber 248
from the blender 112 have been discharged into the mixing segment
242 of the fluid conduit 236, the base fluid inlet valve 274 closes
and the actuator 254 can retract the piston 252 to repeat the cycle
of the syringe 246 drawing the material(s) from the blender 112
into the material chamber 248 and injecting the material(s) into
the mixing segment 242 to generate the fracking fluid within the
fluid conduit 236.
[0098] In some examples, the material(s) injected into the mixing
segment 242 from the material chamber 248 mix with base fluid
flowing through the mixing segment 242 to form (i.e., generate) the
fracking fluid within the mixing segment 242. In other examples,
the material(s) injected into the mixing segment 242 from the
material chamber 248 define a finished (i.e., complete) fracking
fluid that is ready for delivery to the well head 102.
[0099] Various parameters of the injection system 238 can be
selected such that the effective pressure exerted on the side 280
of the piston head 256 by the base fluid is greater than the
pressure exerted on the opposite side 262 by the hydraulic oil when
the base fluid inlet valve 274 is open, for example the surface
area of the side 280 as compared to the side 262, the pressure of
the base fluid within the base fluid chamber 250 created by the
frac pump 104 as compared to the resting pressure the hydraulic oil
within the hydraulic oil chamber 260, and/or the like.
[0100] Using two or more injection systems 238 (and/or two or more
fluid delivery devices 214) can enable the fluid delivery device(s)
214 to deliver a substantially continuous flow of fracking fluid to
the well head 102 during operation of the hydraulic fracturing
system 100. More particularly, the syringes 246 of the injection
systems 238 (and/or two or more fluid delivery devices 214) can be
cycled between injection phases in an offset timing pattern, for
example as is shown in FIG. 6. The ability of the fluid delivery
device(s) 214 to deliver a substantially continuous supply of the
fracking fluid to the well head 102 mitigates the potential for
base fluid that has not been mixed with any other materials of the
fracking fluid to flow into the well head 102.
[0101] The hydraulic fracturing system 100 can include any number
of the fluid delivery devices 214 (each of which can include any
number of the injection systems 238) to facilitate delivering a
substantially continuous flow of fracking fluid to the well head
102. Non-limiting examples include a fluid delivery device 214
having two, three, four, five, ten, or twenty injection systems 238
timed to deliver a substantially continuous flow of fracking fluid
to the well head 102. Other non-limiting examples include two,
three, four, five, ten, or twenty fluid delivery devices 214 (each
of which can include any number of the injection systems 238) timed
to deliver a substantially continuous flow of fracking fluid to the
well head 102.
[0102] Referring now to FIG. 8, a method 300 for operating a
hydraulic fracturing system according to an exemplary embodiment is
shown. At step 302, the method 300 includes pumping a base fluid
from the outlet of a frac pump into a fluid conduit. The method 300
includes injecting, at 304, at least one material of a fracking
fluid into the fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump to
generate the fracking fluid within the fluid conduit. At step 306,
the method 300 includes pumping the fracking fluid from the fluid
conduit into a well head.
[0103] The steps of the method 300 can be performed in any order.
For example, injecting at 304 the at least one material of the
fracking fluid into the fluid conduit can be performed before any
base fluid is pumped at 302 into the fluid conduit, wherein the
step of pumping at 306 the fracking fluid from the fluid conduit
into the well head can include pumping at 302 the base fluid from
the outlet of the frac pump into the fluid conduit.
[0104] Referring now to FIG. 9, a method 400 for operating a
hydraulic fracturing system according to an exemplary embodiment is
shown. At step 402, the method 400 includes pumping a base fluid
from the outlet of a frac pump into a fluid conduit. At 404, the
method 400 includes injecting at least one material of a fracking
fluid into the fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump to
generate the fracking fluid within the fluid conduit. In some
examples, injecting at 404 the at least one material of the
fracking fluid into the fluid conduit includes creating, at 404a a
lower-pressure state within the fluid conduit to draw the at least
one material into the fluid conduit from a material source. For
example, injecting at 404 the at least one material of the fracking
fluid into the fluid conduit can include closing, at 404b, a base
fluid inlet valve at a base fluid inlet of the fluid conduit that
is fluidly connected to an outlet of the frac pump, and opening, at
404c, a base fluid outlet valve at a base fluid outlet of the fluid
conduit that is fluidly connected to an inlet of the frac pump.
[0105] At step 406, the method 400 includes pumping the fracking
fluid from the fluid conduit into a well head. In some examples,
pumping at 406 the fracking fluid from the fluid conduit into a
well head includes creating, at 406a, a higher-pressure state
within the fluid conduit to push the fracking fluid from the fluid
conduit into the well head. For example, pumping at 406 the
fracking fluid from the fluid conduit into the well head includes
can include closing, at 406b, the base fluid outlet valve at the
base fluid outlet of the fluid conduit that is fluidly connected to
an inlet of the frac pump, and opening, at 406c, the base fluid
inlet valve at the base fluid inlet of the fluid conduit that is
fluidly connected to an outlet of the frac pump.
[0106] The steps of the method 400 can be performed in any order.
For example, injecting at 404 the at least one material of the
fracking fluid into the fluid conduit can be performed before any
base fluid is pumped at 402 into the fluid conduit, wherein the
step of pumping at 406 the fracking fluid from the fluid conduit
into the well head can include pumping at 402 the base fluid from
the outlet of the frac pump into the fluid conduit.
[0107] Referring now to FIG. 10, a method 500 for operating a
hydraulic fracturing system according to an exemplary embodiment is
shown. At step 502, the method 500 includes pumping a base fluid
from the outlet of a frac pump into a fluid conduit. The method 500
includes injecting, at 504, at least one material of a fracking
fluid into the fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump to
generate the fracking fluid within the fluid conduit.
[0108] In some examples, injecting at 504 the at least one material
of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit includes injecting, at
504a, the at least one material into the fluid conduit from a
material chamber of a syringe that is fluidly connected to the
fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump. For example, injecting
at 504a the at least one material into the fluid conduit from a
material chamber of a syringe can include extending, at 504b, a
piston of a syringe to push the at least one material from the
syringe into the fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump.
[0109] At step 506, the method 500 includes pumping the fracking
fluid from the fluid conduit into a well head.
[0110] The steps of the method 500 can be performed in any order.
For example, injecting at 504 the at least one material of the
fracking fluid into the fluid conduit can be performed before any
base fluid is pumped at 502 into the fluid conduit, wherein the
step of pumping at 506 the fracking fluid from the fluid conduit
into the well head can include pumping at 502 the base fluid from
the outlet of the frac pump into the fluid conduit.
[0111] The following clauses describe further aspects of the
disclosure: [0112] Clause Set A:
[0113] A1. A fluid delivery device for a hydraulic fracturing
system, said fluid delivery device comprising:
[0114] a fluid conduit comprising a fracking fluid outlet
configured to be fluidly connected to a well head for delivering a
fracking fluid to the well head, the fluid conduit comprising a
base fluid inlet configured to be fluidly connected to the outlet
of a frac pump such that the fluid conduit is configured to receive
a flow of base fluid from the frac pump through the base fluid
inlet; and
[0115] an injection system fluidly connected to the fluid conduit
downstream from the base fluid inlet and upstream from the fracking
fluid outlet, the injection system being configured to be fluidly
connected to a material source, wherein the injection system is
configured to inject at least one material of the fracking fluid
from the material source into the fluid conduit downstream from the
frac pump to generate the fracking fluid within the fluid
conduit.
[0116] A2. The fluid delivery device of clause A1, wherein the
fluid conduit alternates between a lower-pressure state wherein the
injection system draws the at least one material of the fracking
fluid into the fluid conduit from the material source and a
higher-pressure state wherein the fluid conduit delivers the
fracking fluid to the well head.
[0117] A3. The fluid delivery device of clause A1, wherein the
injection system comprises a material inlet fluidly connected to
the fluid conduit downstream from the base fluid inlet and
configured to be fluidly connected to the material source, the
material inlet comprising a material inlet valve, the injection
system further comprising a base fluid outlet fluidly connected to
the fluid conduit downstream from the material inlet and configured
to be fluidly connected to an inlet of the frac pump, the base
fluid outlet comprising a base fluid outlet valve, wherein the
injection system is configured to draw the at least one material of
the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit from the material source
when the material inlet valve and the base fluid outlet valve are
open.
[0118] A4. The fluid delivery device of clause A1, wherein the
injection system comprises a material inlet valve and a base fluid
outlet valve, the fluid conduit comprising a base fluid inlet valve
and a fracking fluid outlet valve, wherein the injection system is
configured to draw the at least one material of the fracking fluid
into the fluid conduit when the material inlet valve and the base
fluid outlet valve are open and the base fluid inlet valve and the
fracking fluid outlet valve are closed, and wherein the fluid
conduit is configured to deliver the fracking fluid to the well
head when the material inlet valve and the base fluid outlet valve
are closed and the base fluid inlet valve and the fracking fluid
outlet valve are open.
[0119] A5. The fluid delivery device of clause A1, wherein the
fluid conduit is a first fluid conduit and the injection system is
a first injection system, the fluid delivery device further
comprising second and third fluid conduits and second and third
injection systems fluidly connected to the second and third fluid
conduits, respectively, the second and third injection systems
configured to inject the at least one material of the fracking
fluid into the second and third fluid conduits downstream from the
frac pump.
[0120] A6. The fluid delivery device of clause A1, wherein the
injection system comprises a syringe.
[0121] A7. The fluid delivery device of clause A1, wherein the
injection system comprises a syringe having a material chamber
fluidly connected to the fluid conduit downstream from the frac
pump, the material chamber being configured to be fluidly connected
to the material source, the syringe comprising a piston that is
configured to retract to draw the at least one material of the
fracking fluid into the material chamber from the material source,
the piston being configured to extend to push the at least one
material of the fracking fluid from the material chamber into the
fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump.
[0122] A8. The fluid delivery device of clause A1, wherein the
injection system comprises a syringe having a piston, an actuator,
and a base fluid chamber, the base fluid chamber configured to be
fluidly connected to the outlet of the frac pump, the actuator
being configured to retract the piston, the base fluid chamber
comprising a base fluid inlet valve configured to open such that
base fluid pressure from the outlet of the frac pump extends the
piston.
[0123] A9. The fluid delivery device of clause A1, wherein the
injection device comprises a base fluid outlet that is configured
to be fluidly connected to an inlet of the frac pump. [0124] Clause
Set B:
[0125] B1. A method for operating a hydraulic fracturing system,
said method comprising:
[0126] pumping base fluid from the outlet of a frac pump into a
fluid conduit;
[0127] injecting at least one material of a fracking fluid into the
fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump to generate the
fracking fluid within the fluid conduit downstream from the frac
pump; and
[0128] pumping the fracking fluid from the fluid conduit into a
well head.
[0129] B2. The method of clause B1, wherein injecting the at least
one material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit
comprises:
[0130] closing a base fluid inlet valve at a base fluid inlet of
the fluid conduit that is fluidly connected to an outlet of the
frac pump; and
[0131] opening a base fluid outlet valve at a base fluid outlet of
the fluid conduit that is fluidly connected to an inlet of the frac
pump.
[0132] B3. The method of clause B1, wherein pumping the fracking
fluid from the fluid conduit into the well head comprises:
[0133] closing a base fluid outlet valve at a base fluid outlet of
the fluid conduit that is fluidly connected to an inlet of the frac
pump; and
[0134] opening a base fluid inlet valve at a base fluid inlet of
the fluid conduit that is fluidly connected to an outlet of the
frac pump; and
[0135] B4. The method of clause B1, wherein injecting the at least
one material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit comprises
injecting the at least one material into the fluid conduit from a
material chamber of a syringe that is fluidly connected to the
fluid conduit downstream from the frac pump.
[0136] B5. The method of clause B1, wherein injecting the at least
one material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit comprises
extending a piston of a syringe to push the at least one material
from the syringe into the fluid conduit downstream from the frac
pump.
[0137] B6. The method of clause B1, wherein injecting the at least
one material of the fracking fluid into the fluid conduit comprises
creating a lower-pressure state within the fluid conduit to draw
the at least one material into the fluid conduit from a material
source, and wherein pumping the fracking fluid from the fluid
conduit into a well head comprises creating a higher-pressure state
within the fluid conduit to push the fracking fluid from the fluid
conduit into the well head. [0138] Clause Set C:
[0139] C1. A hydraulic fracturing system comprising:
[0140] a material source;
[0141] a frac pump having a pump outlet and a pump inlet;
[0142] a fluid conduit having a fracking fluid outlet configured to
be fluidly connected to a well head for delivering a fracking fluid
to the well head, the fluid conduit comprising a base fluid inlet
fluidly connected to the pump outlet of the frac pump such that the
fluid conduit is configured to receive a flow of base fluid from
the frac pump through the base fluid inlet; and
[0143] an injection system fluidly connected to the material source
for receiving a flow of at least one material of the fracking fluid
from the material source, the injection system being fluidly
connected to the fluid conduit downstream from the base fluid inlet
and upstream from the fracking fluid outlet, wherein the injection
system is configured to inject the at least one material of the
fracking fluid into the fluid conduit downstream from the frac
pump.
[0144] C2. The hydraulic fracturing system of clause C1, wherein
the fluid conduit alternates between a lower-pressure state wherein
the injection system draws the at least one material of the
fracking fluid into the fluid conduit and a higher-pressure state
wherein the fluid conduit delivers the fracking fluid to the well
head.
[0145] C3. The hydraulic fracturing system of clause C1, wherein
the injection system comprises a material inlet valve and a base
fluid outlet valve, the fluid conduit comprising a base fluid inlet
valve and a fracking fluid outlet valve, wherein the injection
system is configured to draw the at least one material of the
fracking fluid into the fluid conduit when the material inlet valve
and the base fluid outlet valve are open and the base fluid inlet
valve and the fracking fluid outlet valve are closed, and wherein
the fluid conduit is configured to deliver the fracking fluid to
the well head when the material inlet valve and the base fluid
outlet valve are closed and the base fluid inlet valve and the
fracking fluid outlet valve are open.
[0146] C4. The hydraulic fracturing system of clause C1, wherein
the injection system comprises a syringe.
[0147] C5. The hydraulic fracturing system of clause C1, wherein
the injection system comprises a syringe having a material chamber
fluidly connected to the fluid conduit downstream from the frac
pump, the material chamber being fluidly connected to the material
source, the syringe comprising a piston that is configured to
retract to draw the at least one material of the fracking fluid
into the material chamber from the material source, the piston
being configured to extend to push the at least one material of the
fracking fluid from the material chamber into the fluid conduit
downstream from the frac pump.
[0148] It is to be understood that the above description is
intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the
above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in
combination with each other. Furthermore, invention(s) have been
described in connection with what are presently considered to be
the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be
understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed
embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various
modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the
spirit and scope of the invention(s). Further, each independent
feature or component of any given assembly can constitute an
additional embodiment. In addition, many modifications can be made
to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
disclosure without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of
materials, orientations of the various components, and the number
and positions of the various components described herein are
intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no
means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other
embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the
claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing
the above description. The scope of the disclosure should,
therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims,
along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are
entitled.
[0149] In the foregoing description of certain embodiments,
specific terminology has been resorted to for the sake of clarity.
However, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the
specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each
specific term includes other technical equivalents which operate in
a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms
such as "clockwise" and "counterclockwise", "left" and right",
"front" and "rear", "above" and "below" and the like are used as
words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be
construed as limiting terms.
[0150] When introducing elements of aspects of the disclosure or
the examples thereof, the articles "a," "an," "the," and "said" are
intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The
terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be
inclusive and mean that there can be additional elements other than
the listed elements. For example, in this specification, the word
"comprising" is to be understood in its "open" sense, that is, in
the sense of "including", and thus not limited to its "closed"
sense, that is the sense of "consisting only of". A corresponding
meaning is to be attributed to the corresponding words "comprise",
"comprised", "comprises", "having", "has", "includes", and
"including" where they appear. The term "exemplary" is intended to
mean "an example of" The phrase "one or more of the following: A,
B, and C" means "at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or
at least one of C." Moreover, in the following claims, the terms
"first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and
are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in
means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted
based on 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 112(f), unless and until such claim
limitations expressly use the phrase "means for" followed by a
statement of function void of further structure.
[0151] Although the terms "step" and/or "block" may be used herein
to connote different elements of methods employed, the terms should
not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or
between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the
order of individual steps is explicitly described. The order of
execution or performance of the operations in examples of the
disclosure illustrated and described herein is not essential,
unless otherwise specified. The operations can be performed in any
order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the disclosure
can include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed
herein. It is therefore contemplated that executing or performing a
particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after
another operation is within the scope of aspects of the
disclosure.
[0152] Having described aspects of the disclosure in detail, it
will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible
without departing from the scope of aspects of the disclosure as
defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in
the above constructions, products, and methods without departing
from the scope of aspects of the disclosure, it is intended that
all matter contained in the above description and shown in the
accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not
in a limiting sense.
* * * * *